Headrest



S. R. JONES April 22, 1941.

HEADREST Filed July 18, 1939 gwumvlm annual mJ'o/was W Maw M435.

Patented Apr. 22, 1941 UNETED STATES ATENT ()FEIQE 2 Claims.

This invention has relation to headrests of the type for supporting thehead by engagement with the face of a person while lying on the stomachwith the face down.

Among the objects of the device are the provision of a headrest which isconstructed and arranged so as to afford the maximum degree of comfortand ease in supporting the head while the person is resting upon thestomach, and, as an object, the invention has in view means for sosupporting the head at the proper height while the body rests uponpillows or other supports, thus providing comfort for the person whileresting in such position.

Among the various uses of t. e device may be mentioned that of providingrelaxation for those desiring to sleep or repose face downward in bed,and Where this is desired pillows may be placed crosswise under thetorso, thus raising the body to a position compatible with that of theheadrest. In addition to affording a comfortable rest for the head for aperson who desires to sleep on the stomach, when a face downwardposition is desirable, the invention is also useful in cases of sinus,tonsil, or other ailments, when the patient is receiving treatment fromosteopaths, chiropractors, masseurs, and also its use would be found asan aid in the operating room where the neck and back of the patientneeds to be kept at a uniform level. In the latter case, for office oroperating room, a small table of appropriate height to support theheadrest, could be used in conjunction with and at the head of theregular treatment or operating table.

A further use of the invention would be found in acquiring sun tan athome or at the beach, and in the latter case, the beach sand could be soelevated under the body as to support the latter at the appropriateheight so that the face and head would be supported by the headrest, andin proper relationship to the body.

An additional use of the device will be found in its application as aprotector to newly groomed coiffeurs, and in beauty parlors, wheretables are provided so that one might relax and sleep, with the facedown while having the hair treated, dried, etc.

Other uses of the invention will be obvious to those skilled in the artwho are familiar with devices of a similar nature.

Among the features of importance of the head rest is the provision for alateral adjustment of the two members comprising the rest, in a simpleand efficient manner, so as to vary the width of the opening whichreceives the face, in accordance with the size appropriate for eachindividual using the rest.

Another important feature of the invention is found in the capacity ofthe rest for vertical adjustment relative to its base, so as to positionthe head at that elevation which is appropriate for the particularperson using the rest, and in a further self-adjusting feature wherebythe headrest will assume an inclination relative to the base upon which.it is supported, which is appropriate for the inclination of the facewhile in engagement with the rest, such latter adjustment beingautomatic.

Other important features of the invention, including valuable details ofconstruction and combinations of parts will be better understood fromthe following detailed description, when considered in connection withthe accompanying drawing, in which- Fig. 1 is a plan view illustratingan embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 2 is a front view in elevation thereof, and

Fig. 3 is a side view of the headrest in elevation, showing a tiltedposition in dotted lines.

A base member 6, composed of any suitable material and constructed tosupport the device is adapted to rest upon a bed or other surface, andtwo upstanding, herein shown as U-shapsd, brack ets 5 have their spacedsupporting legs provided with feet 5 which may be fastened to the base 5by screws, bolts, or other suitable fastening means. The upperhorizontal portions of the brackets 5 are provided with apertures 8',shown by dotted lines in Fig. 2, and through said apertures thesupporting threaded stems I extend, the upper portions of which stemsare herein shown as secured to plates l3, which latter are adjustablysecured by bolts M to the two-part headrest frame As shown in Fig. 1,slots I3 are provided in the plates I3 through which the bolts M passloosely. The two parts of the headrest frame I are hingedly connected attheir rear terminals by a hinge 3, permitting the two parts of the frameto swing laterally for adjustment of the size of the face-receivingaperture or opening defined by the frame to accommodate different widthsof faces of the users of the device.

A strengthening plate l0 provided with inclined slots and screw or boltconnections passing through said slots and headrest members, acts as astiffening member for the rear hingedly connected terminals of theheadrest members, as shown in Fig. 2 and by dotted lines in Fig. 1.

The frame members I have their inner curved faces covered by suitabletextile or other enclosing material or fabric 4 which is stufied by anysoft material to provide a continuous cushioned surface which ispresented to the face of the user, and serves as a soft and comfortablerest therefor. Any suitable material may be used for the covering 4 ofthe pad which is best adapted for the purpose, such material beingpreferably moisture-proof. If desired this cush- 'ion or pad may be ofcloth, felt or the like, filled with down, wool, capok, or any softpadding substance which may or may not be covered witha Washable slip ofcotton, silk or any of the various moisture resisting materials, or,said cushion or pad may, if desired, be made of rubber tubing inflatedin the manner of inflatable life preservers, instead of being of clothwith an interior stufiing, as stated.

In use the device is suitably supported. upon a bed, table or othersurface, but when used on a bed to permit the person to sleep whilereclining on his or her stomach, the elevation of the rest above thebase 6 a suitable distance is accomplished by the change in position ofthe nuts 8, 9 which are in threaded engagement with the stems l. Theapertures 8' through which the threaded members I extend, are ofsufficient size nection at their extreme outer ends with the rearmostsurface of the frame members I. The turning of this turn-buckle, to theright or to the left, will increase or decrease the width of the opening20 between the members of the headrest to accommodate the size of suchrest to the face of the particular person using it, that is, as to thewidth thereof, as will be evident. In this lateral adjustment the twomembers of the headrest are permitted to swing laterally about the hinge3 as a center, the slots in the plates 10 and I3 permitting suchmovement.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is:

1. In a device of the class described, the combination of a base,inverted U-shaped brackets secured thereto and provided at their upperportions with enlarged apertures, a laterally adjustable headrest,cushioning means on said headrest, adjusting screws extending from saidheadrest downwardly through said apertures, and adjusting nuts threadedto said members, and arranged upon opposite sides of the upper portionsof said brackets through which said screws pass.

2. In a device of the class described, the combination of a base,inverted U-shaped brackets secured thereto and provided at their upperends with enlarged apertures, a laterally adjustable headrest composedof two members constructed and arranged to fit and support the face ofthe user when lying in a position facing downwardly, cushioning means onsaid headrest, adjusting screws extending from said headrest downwardlythrough said apertures, adjusting nuts threaded to said screws andarranged upon opposite sides of the upper portions of said bracketsthrough which said screws pass, and means for adjusting laterally thetwo members of the headrest comprising a turnbuckle and screws connectedtherewith, and hinge means connecting said members at their rearportions, said hinge means being located forward of the turnbuckle.

SAMUEL R. JONES.

